How Roman soldiers were greeting each other is not known. Most common argument used by people claiming it is a Roman salute indeed, is a Jacques-Louis David's paiting - Oath of the Horatii - where characters are not saluting, but they are reaching for the swords given by their father.

What the girl does, and what Nazis have stolen (again), is Bellamy's salute, who created it at the end of 19th century and was used as an element of giving an oath to American flag. In 1942 it was no longer practised in the USA for obvious reasons.

(2016 May 24 19:06)Hrabia Wrote: Bellamy's salute, who created it at the end of 19th century

Seems hard to believe that Mussolini and Prima de Rivera would have adopted it in that case, though not impossible, I suppose.

"And now if a whole nation fell into that? In such a case, I answer, infallibly they will return out of it. For life is no cunningly-devised deception or self deception, it is a great truth that thou art alive, that thou hast desires, necessities: neither can these subsist and satisfy themselves on delusions, but on fact. To fact, depend on it, we shall come back: to such fact, blessed or cursed, as we have wisdom for."
Thomas Carlyle

How Roman soldiers were greeting each other is not known. Most common argument used by people claiming it is a Roman salute indeed, is a Jacques-Louis David's paiting - Oath of the Horatii - where characters are not saluting, but they are reaching for the swords given by their father.

What the girl does, and what Nazis have stolen (again), is Bellamy's salute, who created it at the end of 19th century and was used as an element of giving an oath to American flag. In 1942 it was no longer practised in the USA for obvious reasons.

AS far as I know, this is quite right! Or, at least, the chronology can be established, and indeed there are no earlier accounts than that 18th century painting.

Btw I don't think it has been established that the nazis or fascists literally copied the Bellamy salute; in the case of the Nazis however there are more examples of (Anglo-)American inspiration (e.g. in the race-laws with an emphasis on nordicism, in the emphasis on propaganda, and even in their anti-semitism) so it is not at all unlikely.

(2016 May 24 19:59)Osweo Wrote: Seems hard to believe that Mussolini and Prima de Rivera would have adopted it in that case, though not impossible, I suppose.

I think American films about ancient Rome made in 1920s may be a reason. As far as I know Americans were using it in such films to make a guy playing a Roman look more powerful.

In reality, raising a hand is a common way of greeting - probably since always. I guess it is simply natural. But in case of Romans, there are some statues where they look like saluting, while this is actually a normal greeting. For example here:

Augustus of Prima Porta. But a difference worth of noticing, is that Augustus does not have arm in straight position, like "Roman salute" would suggest. Also palm of a hand would not be proper.

On the other hand, Romans might have greet each other by placing a fist near to their chests, so that may be the only small connection.

However, Mussolini himself was a guy with some problems regarding the usage of gestures. Way too emotional.

(2016 May 24 20:28)Hrabia Wrote: However, Mussolini himself was a guy with some problems regarding the usage of gestures. Way too emotional.

That probably passes for statesmanlike gravitas and cool reserve in Italy...

"And now if a whole nation fell into that? In such a case, I answer, infallibly they will return out of it. For life is no cunningly-devised deception or self deception, it is a great truth that thou art alive, that thou hast desires, necessities: neither can these subsist and satisfy themselves on delusions, but on fact. To fact, depend on it, we shall come back: to such fact, blessed or cursed, as we have wisdom for."
Thomas Carlyle